Sub Lieutenant Eric K Margetts RNVR (1920 – 1965) had passed out from RNC Greenwich along with John Moffat and Bobby Lawson who would later achieve fame through the sinking of the Bismark. At Greenwich they were known as the Black Hand Gang.
On 3rd June 1941 he was the pilot of Swordfish L9731, 816 Squadron, from RAF Thorney Island and was shot down by escort vessels while he was attacking two 10,000 ton merchant ships near Boulogne. The aircraft caught fire, and he baled out. Both his Observer S/Lt Christopher M Richards and Air Gunner P/O. Arthur J Atkin were killed. Rescued by the German Navy, Margetts survived with wound to his leg, while in hospital in France was in a bed next to his Black Hand Gang friend Glan Evans. Moving to Oflag IX-A Spangenberg and Oflag VI-B, both Margetts and Evans ended up in Hut 108, Stalag Luft III.
Taking part in the Long March of 1945, Eric Margetts went to Stalag IIIA Luckenwald, south of Berlin, where he was liberated by the Soviet Army. He was repatriated in late May 1945, but sadly died in a road accident in 1965.
At RNC Greenwich
The Long March
In January 1945, thousands of Allied Prisoners of War were force-marched west, away from the advancing Russians. Over 10,000 were evacuated from Stalag Luft III, and marched 60 miles to Spremberg in Germany, in temperatures of –25 °C.
They included FAA aircrew who had been captured from the Mediterranean to Norway.
Many POWs died from cold, maltreatment by their guards, and fire from strafing Allied aircraft. Frostbite and dysentery crippled many others who had to carry their personal possessions and food.
From 24th to 26th January 2025 this march was re-enacted by military personnel and families of original marchers who followed the same route and visit the farms, stables, factories and churches where the POWs slept.
Many of the POWs were eternally grateful to the Red Cross and the Order of St John, for the support that they received throughout their incarceration in the form of food parcels, clothing and mail from home. This amalgamation still exists as the ‘St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service’, commonly known as the DMWS.
As a Royal British Legion Standard Bearer, James Castle decided to complete the 60 mile walk from Stalag Luft III to Spremburg, while carrying the flag of the DMWS on a ceremonial pole. Through various ventures he has raised over £25,000 for charity, and he would like to raise awareness of, and support the DMWS by marking their involvement in the Long March of 1945.
Any help that you are able to give will be very gratefully received. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/dmwsthelongmarch